The council has responded by saying the bylaw was more of a guide than a decree that they would actively enforce.

Katrina Shanks Photo: NATIONAL PARTY

But Ms Shanks said she wasn't convinced.

"Actually, I think it goes a bit further than that proposed bylaw. I think it's actually intending to be that if you're a greiving family and you'd like to scatter the ashes of your loved one, you have to go to the council and receive written approval to do that."

About 70 percent of New Zealanders were cremated, although many were interred into plots, she said.

It was a private and respectful time and most mourners were sensitive to environmental and cultural considerations, she said.

"I don't believe that you need to regulate if there is no evidence of harm, and we haven't seen any evidence of harm in this instance."

Guidelines would be more appropriate than formal regulations, she said.

"When the families come in and say 'we're going to scatter our ashes', the funeral directors can give them some expert advice in how to do that and the sensitive issues around [it]."